- No comments found
Created on 04 January 2013
Hits: 1826
“Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you, though night still covers the earth and darkness the peoples.” The poetry of the Prophet Isaiah describes salvation as a journey from darkness into light. His words were addressed to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, recently returned from the exile that had been their darkest night. They were full of hope, confident that the God of Israel had not abandoned his promise, that he continued to lead them into the light.
The prophet went further. Filled with the hope of dawning salvation, the people themselves would grow radiant, their hearts throbbing and full. The City of Jerusalem, rejuvenated in faith and hope, would become a sign of God’s presence. “Lift up your eyes and look round: all are assembling and coming towards you.”
Like the Jerusalem of Isaiah’s generation, we are called to the dawning light of salvation. At all times, and especially in this Year of Faith, we should so live our lives that the whole world is drawn to Christ, the true light that the darkness could not overcome.
On the feast of the Epiphany we celebrate the fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy in the birth of Christ. The pilgrimage of the Wise men from the East represents a call to faith that reaches out to the whole world. Pope Benedict describes the Magi as men of hope and seekers after truth who, in every generation, have been on the look-out for the true star of salvation.
There is a restlessness at the heart of our humanity that is always searching for fulfilment. It is a restlessness that drives our lives and can bring our lives to the light of Christ. In following the star, the Wise Men pursued that universal longing of the heart, refusing to be led astray until they came to Jerusalem. There they made further inquiries. “Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star and have come to do him homage.”
Purchase DVD | http://www.amazon.ca/The-Star-Bethlehem-Frederick-Larson/dp/B002RBHDFK
Their patient inquiry was answered in the words of the scriptures. According to the Prophet Baruch, the Christ would be born in Bethlehem, for out of her would come the leader who would shepherd Israel.
God’s revelation, expressed in the scriptures, comes to meet us in our restless longing. During this Year of Faith, we, like the Magi, should search for the truth and, in praying the scriptures, know the joy of coming into the presence of Christ. “The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage.”
There was a stark contrast between the reaction of the Magi and that of Herod and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. “When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem.”
When our lives are open to the presence of God, we, like the Magi coming into the presence of Christ, shall be filled with delight. When our lives are turned in on ourselves, we, with Herod and Jerusalem, shall find his presence disturbing.
It is in prayer that the Spirit helps us to read our hearts. There will be much in our lives that brings disturbance. Such disturbance is frequently calling us to healing and forgiveness. Then the Spirit leads us into the joy of Christ’s presence.
Related News:
The wise men’s gift
The traditional Christian feast of the Epiphany offers an abundance of life lessons for those willing to reflect on its meaning.
For us, children of a then more pious land, it was el gran día (the great day). Three Kings’ Day was, after Christmas, the greatest festivity of the year. It was a special holy day — of sharing, song, and celebration. Young and old alike looked forward to it with merry anticipation.
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:1-2)
It used to be that we believed. It was the mystery and the renunciation.
Before dusk, on the grand day’s Eve, we would have placed under our bed a shoebox filled with the freshest and greenest grass. Carefully picked, it would feed the Wise Men’s camels. It would help them endure the long, arduous journey. It was our heartfelt gift for them. The next day, in its place, their gift for us. We had been well-behaved children. We all received, but every present was a unique answer for each.
It was the gift of giving and receiving. It was the wonder. It was the Epiphany, the Revelation.
The Magi realised the interplay of science, philosophy, and religion, of the natural and the supernatural, of doing and contemplation. They knew that the Star did not create itself and that its movement was not random. They understood that the sign was not of their own making. They understood that meaning and value stood beyond empirical observation.
It was true wisdom. The Wise Men diligently studied and listened. They eagerly sought and found. They saw and they believed. Once discovered, they acknowledged truth. They left country and comfort to follow His star. Once found, they loved the Truth.
"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Ruler, who shall shepherd my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the Young Child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." (Mt 2:3-8)
Herod was diligent and powerful too. But he could not see, for his ends and means were wicked. He had the means to inflict death, but not the gift to find Life. He was cunning and controlling. He commanded, but did not obey. Wonder was not his, but pride. And, so, he knew the facts but lacked understanding and wisdom.
"When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the Young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the Young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him; and opening their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." (Mt 2:9-12)
It was the joy and the rejoicing. With humble reverence, the Magi knelt and adored Him.
It was true freedom and true courage. The Wise Men had many choices, many possibilities. They knew that real freedom is not conformed simply to one’s self or possessions, but to Truth. It willingly surrenders to the Truth. They knew that true power and valor spring from virtue, not from deception and carnage. They did not employ deceit, insult, or bloodshed. Trusting the divine sign, they prudently returned home by a different route. Eloquently silent in worship and in action, they were loyal servants of the newborn Lord.
It was Faith, Hope, and Charity.
We learned that for something to be true it is not necessary for it to be either empirically proven or logically demonstrated. We had learned that mysteries are as real — even more so — as the grass and the shoebox. We never probed how could it all happen or why the camels needed so much fodder. The Three Kings existed and they would come tonight.
Tonight, like every fifth of January night, they would be back, quietly and mysteriously, once we fell fast asleep — not one second sooner. We knew that only when surrendering control, would the Wise Men arrive. Being on our guard, attempting to spy their every move or to outwit them, would have been self-defeating. It would have signaled doubt or despair, pride, disrespect, or disobedience. A mystery calls for reverence, not mockery.
It was the gratitude. However modest the present, our hearts would leap with thanks. Little did we know of our parents’ sacrifices and dearest dreams, of their careful and devoted tending of the precious moment.
Little did we, children of a then more pious time, suspect that el gran día was teaching us lessons of theological, intellectual, and moral virtue to guide us along life’s way.
Alma Acevedo, PhD, teaches courses in applied ethics and conducts research in this field.
Rev. Fr. Pawel Ratajczak
Comments